Bihar: Mahagathbandhan holds Aakrosh marches over SIR, seeks CEC resignation
Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 7 (IANS) The Mahagathbandhan on Wednesday took its opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to the streets, with 'Aakrosh Marches' organised at block headquarters across Bihar. In Patna, a large number of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers gathered outside the party office and raised slogans against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters carried effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters later moved towards the Income Tax roundabout, where the effigies were set on fire. The demonstration was aimed at registering the Opposition's protest against the SIR exercise and what the Mahagathbandhan alleges are irregularities in the electoral rolls. The Mahagathbandhan has opposed the SIR exercise and raised concerns about the deletion and verification of names in electoral rolls. The alliance has demanded greater transparency from the Election Commission and has called for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, announced the two-day agitation after a meeting of Mahagathbandhan leaders on Monday. Under the announced programme, protests were scheduled at block headquarters on October 7, followed by demonstrations at district headquarters on October 8. Yadav has accused the Election Commission of India and Gyanesh Kumar of acting against the interests of the Opposition. The RJD and its allies have made these political allegations, but they have not been established as facts. According to the Mahagathbandhan's announced programme, its leaders and workers will hold a march in Patna on October 8 from the Saptamurti area towards Lok Bhavan and submit a memorandum concerning the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. Tejashwi Yadav has also raised questions over the transfer of Rs 10,000 to women's bank accounts ahead of the election and alleged that government resources were being used to influence voters. The Opposition has said it raised these concerns before the Election Commission but was dissatisfied with the response. The Mahagathbandhan has said the protests are intended to highlight its concerns over electoral roll revision, transparency and the functioning of the Election Commission. The agitation will continue on October 8 with district-level demonstrations across Bihar, followed by the planned Patna march and submission of the memorandum to the Governor.
BPSC TRE 4.0: Bihar Teacher Recruitment 2026 posts increased to 33,320
Bihar Public Service Commission has increased the number of positions for BPSC TRE 4.0. The posts have been increased from 32388 to 33320. Candidates can find the notice on the official website
Shubham Kumar, a 19-year-old from Dighwara, Bihar, achieved Level 22,222 in Candy Crush Saga. This milestone has been recognised by the International Book of Records for teenagers. The achievement was accomplished on July 5, 2026, marking significant progress in the mobile puzzle game. Details about his gameplay duration or academic background were not disclosed. His accomplishment highlights achievements outside conventional areas like academics or sports.
After Cannes, Mothers of Courage makes it to UN SDG Action Awards 2026 finals
Mothers of Courage is a documentary that showcases a movement in Bihar focusing on girls education and against early marriage. The film has been nominated for the 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow awards by the United Nations. It portrays the stories of mothers and mothers-in-law supporting girls in continuing their education. Over 1.19 million citizens have been mobilized across 14 districts through community gatherings.
Bihars Grand Alliance Stages Protest March Against Election Commission
The Grand Alliance in Patna protests against the Election Commission, demanding transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Bihars Grand Alliance Stages Protest March Against Election Commission
BPSC 72nd prelims postponed again, October 25 exam cancelled; new date yet to be announced
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has once again postponed the Preliminary Test (PT) for the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination. The examination was scheduled to be held on October 25, 2026, but candidates will no...
Bihar Teacher Recruitment 2026: Vacancies Increased To 33,320, Check Details
BPSC TRE 4.0 vacancies has been revised to 33,320 from 32,388. Check revised vacancies, important dates, application steps, fee details, and more here.
Bihar Chief Minister Emphasizes Prosperity for a Developed India at Sankalp Sabha
Bihars CM highlighted the importance of a prosperous Bihar for a developed India during the Sankalp Sabha in Patna, celebrating PM Modis 25 years in public service. Bihar Chief Minister Emphasizes Prosperity for a Developed India at Sankalp Sabha
SAV Bihar Class 6 Admit Card 2027-28 - Dummy Admit Card Link Available
SAV Bihar Class 6 admission process for the 2027-28 academic session is being conducted through the Bihar School Examination Board.
Bihar: Six Held For Murder, STF Attack; Three Injured In Encounter
Six individuals have been arrested across two districts in Bihar for their alleged involvement in a murder case and an attack on Special Task Force (STF) personnel. Three of the accused sustained bullet injuries during an exchange of fire with police while attempting to flee in Sitamarhi, while three others were arrested in Vaishali for assaulting STF members.
Chennai: 5-year-old girl falls ill, medical exam reveals sexual assault; Bihar youth held
BJP leaders hail PM Modis 25 years in public service, call milestone historic
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 25 years as head of government, marking a political journey that began with his appointment as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, and continued with three consecutive terms as PM since 2014, BJP leaders on Wednesday hailed the milestone, terming it a matter of pride for every Indian. Speaking to IANS, BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has served Gujarat and the country for 25 years, working with the goal of serving all sections of society. Therefore, the Union Cabinet yesterday felicitated and welcomed him on completing 25 years in public service. He is the only mass leader in the country to have fulfilled his constitutional responsibilities for 25 years while working to make the country stronger, self-reliant and developed. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal called it matter of pride and said, It is a matter of pride for every Indian. As workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, this is a very important day for us, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 25 years as an elected head of government today. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, It is a very significant occasion. This is the first time in the country that a Prime Minister has completed 25 years of public service, including his tenure as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. This is historic, and I congratulate the people of the country and the Prime Minister on this occasion. Ashish Sood, a Delhi Minister, told IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has served the people for 25 uninterrupted years while holding constitutional positions. Bringing change to people's lives, empowering the youth through startups and promoting social harmony are among the many inspiring initiatives undertaken during this period. Delhi Minister Ravindra Indraj Singh said, As the country's Prime Servant, the Prime Minister has served the nation for 25 years. With the trust of 140 crore Indians, he laid the foundation for a 'Viksit Bharat'. The goal of making India a 'Vishwaguru' by 2047 is, in many ways, being implemented and becoming visible in reality. Meanwhile, PM Modis first stint at the helm of a government began in Gujarat in 2001. His tenure there lasted more than 12 years before he became the BJPs prime ministerial candidate and led the party to a majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. He returned as Prime Minister with good mandates in 2019 and 2024, becoming the first Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to lead a government for three consecutive terms. The BJPs celebrations seek to connect the two phases of PM Modis political career. A Union Cabinet resolution highlighted initiatives launched in Gujarat that were later expanded nationally, including the SWAGAT grievance-redressal system and the Jyotigram scheme. SWAGAT, through which PM Modi personally reviewed citizens grievances, received the United Nations Public Service Award in 2010. Its approach later inspired PRAGATI, the Centres platform for reviewing stalled projects and resolving implementation bottlenecks. The BJP has been marking PM Modis 25 years in public life through the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched on his birthday on September 17. The campaign has included blood donation drives, cleanliness programmes, welfare outreach, exhibitions, cultural events and other public service initiatives. On Wednesday, the BJP is organising events across states, including torch marches, motorcycle and cycle rallies, and exhibitions highlighting PM Modis journey from Gujarat to the Prime Ministers Office. In Delhi, the main Seva Jyoti programme will be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex. BJP workers and supporters from organisational units across the national capital are expected to attend.
'We allowed India to get back into the game': Hope rues middle-over collapse in Lucknow
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 7 (IANS) West Indies skipper Shai Hope admitted his sides failure to execute in the middle overs and a cluster of wickets allowed India to wrest control of the first T20I as Shreyas Iyers unbeaten 102 powered the hosts to an eight-wicket win here at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. West Indies were well placed at 82/3 after 10 overs, with Hope and Sherfane Rutherford having put together a 38-run stand after the visitors lost three wickets in the powerplay. But Hopes dismissal for 52 triggered a collapse as West Indies lost four wickets in a dramatic six-over passage and were eventually bowled out for 171. Reflecting on the middle overs, Hope said the visitors had allowed India to claw their way back into the contest by losing wickets in clusters. I think it was a bit of both. I felt like we allowed them to get back into the game a bit. Because we started okay in the powerplay, but then Rutherford and I built a nice partnership going into the 10th and 11th overs. So we were setting a nice platform, but I got out at a crucial stage as well, and then wickets just continued to fall, Hope said in the post-match press conference. Whenever you cant build partnerships or wickets continue to fall back to back, you never give yourself the best chance of going deep and getting a big score. So those are the little things that we need to pay attention to for the next game. Make sure we dont lose wickets in clusters and then give ourselves a better chance to get a big total. Hopes own dismissal came immediately after he had completed his 13th T20I fifty, with the West Indies captain falling for 52 to Naman Dhir, who was making his T20I debut. Dhir went on to finish with 3/31, becoming the third Indian spinner to claim three wickets on T20I debut. Hope admitted that the debutant had not necessarily been the bowler West Indies expected to target but stressed that batting sides must adapt to whoever performs best on the day. To be fair, when you think about him as one of the options that they have, you would see him as the second spinner or the extra spinner. So usually as a batting group you tend to say, 'Okay, maybe target this guy,' but still we have to play the situation of the game, Hope said. If hes bowling the best on the day, then hes not the so-called second spinner or third spinner. Just so happened I probably opened the floodgates for him a bit, I think I was the first one to be dismissed. But like I said in the post-match, I thought that we were a little bit chaotic in the back end. Hope felt West Indies became too aggressive in their approach after building a platform, instead of recognising that they still had enough batting resources to attack later in the innings. Felt as though we were trying to score 270 or 280 at some stages. You know we just had to play the situation of the game a little bit smarter. Maybe give ourselves a bit more time because we know we could always do damage in the back end if we have wickets in hand, he said. At the same time, Hope gave credit to Dhir for making the most of his opportunity. But he still bowled well; you have to give him credit when it is due, he added. The West Indies captain also admitted that the visitors were simply not good enough with the bat after being asked to set a target on a surface that became easier to bat on in the second innings. I think we maybe didnt our execution wasnt right. We just didnt execute in the middle overs. We allowed India to get back into the game with some, maybe not the right shot selection in certain stages, but yeah its just one of those days, Hope said. Indias chase was then blown open by Iyer, who smashed an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, including a century off 42 deliveries. It was the India skippers maiden T20I century and his highest score in the format as India completed the chase in 14.4 overs. Hope acknowledged the significance of Iyers innings but felt West Indies had made the challenge considerably harder for their bowling attack by failing to put enough runs on the board. Shreyas, he played a wonderful innings. Again, when you dont put a big score on the board when youre batting first in Indian conditions, its always going to be tough for you as a bowling group, he said. Iyers innings was the second-fastest T20I century against the West Indies, behind only Australias Tim Davids 37-ball hundred in 2025, while it was the fastest by an Indian against the Caribbean side, bettering KL Rahuls 46-ball hundred in 2016. Hope also praised Rutherford, who scored 56 off 31 balls for his seventh T20I fifty. Rutherford, hes been playing really well in this format. Hes been playing some magnificent innings for us giving us opportunities to defend. And its great to see him back in the runs. He didnt get many runs in the ODI series so its nice to see him ticking those boxes here in the T20 series, he said. Rutherford and Hope had taken West Indies to 82/3 before the visitors lost their way. Hope felt the difference between the two innings was also influenced by the conditions. With the ball, like I said before, when you only have 170 to defend and the wetness comes into play, the ball gets a lot wetter, the surface a lot more placid. So its always gonna be more difficult from a bowling side of things, he said. I also felt when India bowled their spinners got a lot more spin on the surface. Something that we didnt really get a chance to extract, maybe because of the conditions. Hope said the ball came onto the bat better in the second innings, while Indias bowlers were also able to extract more from their cutters at crucial moments. I would say in comparison to the first, to the second innings, yes. I thought the ball actually came on a bit more. Even when we bowled our slower balls and cutters it actually slid onto the pitch a bit more rather than held. Mayank got his cutters to grip a bit more, he said. So maybe those little margins, yes, but we just didnt bat as well as we could have honestly, you just have to be honest. Despite the defeat, Hope insisted that West Indies cannot dwell on the past and must use the experience of players who have previously played in India, including those with IPL exposure. Its certainly not up to scratch. You know when you come to India, playing in their home conditions, you gotta play your best cricket. You know theyre a very tough team to beat, so you gotta make sure you have more rights than wrongs. And something that we didnt do well today, he said. But the thing is I know there are a lot of guys who played here, whether its in the IPL or previous tours, so we just need to use those experiences and find a way to get better, come back for the next game. Hope, who has enjoyed success with the bat in India, said his approach is built around adapting quickly to conditions and paying close attention to detail. Thats a tough one because we all know the conditions for batting usually tends to be a bit better. But still you have to find a way to adapt. Youre still playing against quality players, youre still playing against guys whove done it many, many times, he said. Its just about being more ruthless and paying closer attention to detail whenever Im preparing and assessing what is necessary in each set of conditions or whichever situation the game Im faced with. So all these little things I try to put together into one basket whenever Im playing cricket here in India. And sometimes you need a bit of luck as well. Just make sure everything ticks and Ive just had the opportunity to get success and just trying to ride that wave for as long as possible. The Windies captain also acknowledged that the best T20 teams are those that assess conditions quickly and adjust their approach rather than blindly chasing a predetermined total. So Id say the best teams in the world they assess the conditions quickly. So when you have that assessment, then youd know exactly what would be a good score to defend from a bowling side of things, Hope said. The faster we can have that information being spread to the group I think that gives us a better, clearer understanding of what is required in those situations there. He also pointed out that the pitch can behave differently across the two innings, making it important for teams batting first to build in a cushion. Its always challenging because the first half of the game the wicket might play differently than in the second half, so you almost have to give yourself an extra cushion, so you may have to bat out of your skin sometimes to give yourself a good chance, he said. So I think the better teams who assess and adapt quicker tend to give themselves a better chance of winning the game. So those are things that we need to improve on as a team and find ways to get bigger targets when we try to set a score.
Bus from Delhi to Bihar catches fire in Greater Noida, all 32 passengers evacuated
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Mumbai Police seize drugs worth Rs 2.53 crore; 9,800 Nitrazepam, Alprazolam tablets recovered
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 7 (IANS) The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), Worli Unit of the Mumbai Police, has seized Nitrazepam and Alprazolam tablets worth approximately Rs 2.53 crore in a case related to the illegal sale of narcotic and psychotropic substances. According to a press note, the case has been registered by the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Worli Unit, under Section 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The offence took place between 10:40 p.m. on October 6 and 12:40 a.m. on October 7. Acting on information received during an investigation into persons allegedly involved in the purchase, sale and supply of illegal drugs in Mumbai, the police learned that a person was selling tablets used for intoxication in the Dr Zakir Hussain Nagar area of Govandi. Following verification of the information, a police team searched the residence of the accused and seized 4,500 Nitrazepam tablets of the NITCOR-10 brand. The tablets weighed approximately 2 kg and 475 grams and were valued at Rs 1.98 crore. The police also recovered 5,300 Alprazolam tablets of the PROCALM-1 brand, weighing approximately 689 grams and valued at Rs 55.92 lakh. In total, 9,800 Nitrazepam and Alprazolam tablets, collectively valued at approximately Rs 2.53 crore, were seized during the operation. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, with the supervision of senior officers of the Anti-Narcotics Cell and Worli Unit. Earlier, on October 2, the Anti-Narcotics Cell raided The Smoke Shop at Bhoomi Tower in Sector 4, following concerns raised by Kharghar residents over a shop operating barely 50 metres from ITM College. Police seized hookah flavours and related material worth around Rs 92,000. The raid was conducted after the ANC received information regarding the sale of hookah and tobacco products near an educational institution. A team led by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade carried out the operation. Earlier, on August 19, the Mumbai ANC had arrested a man from Bihar at Bandra Terminus for allegedly carrying 10.10 kg of charas, with a market value of Rs 10.01 crore.
Weather today October 7: Delhi, Haryana receive thunderstorms warning; check latest IMD update
Weather today October 7: India Meteorological Department has issued thunderstorm and lightning warnings for several states today, October 7. Delhi-NCR stays partly cloudy with temperatures between 22C and 34C. Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are all on alert for thunderstorms, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand could see rain turning into snowfall. Rajasthan is the only state with no warning, staying completely dry today.
IMD weather alert: Rain, thunderstorms likely in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP and West Bengal
Several parts of the country are likely to see unsettled weather on Wednesday, October 7, with thunderstorms, strong winds and rain expected in multiple states. Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh may see thunderstorms, while...
CM Samrat Choudhary directs officials to submit detailed report on flood damage in Bihar
He instructed that the Disaster Management Department must obtain assessments of flood damage and rehabilitation costs from all relevant departments and submit a report at the earliest.
Jeevika launches Project Dhenu Dhara to boost dairy productivity and farmers income
Properties outside tax net to face 100% penalty: PMC
Thunderstorm, lightning in state till Oct 9: IMD
164 file nominations for 8 legislative council seats in three-way contest
PPU prepares two, five and 15-year development road map
Man arrested in Rs4-crore fraud case in Patna
Women police personnel trained in gender-responsive policing
CBI files closure report in NEET student death case
Digital Tools for smarter farming take centre stage at RPCAU
City colleges engage students in breast cancer, drug abuse awareness drives
Stone-pelting damages Humsafar Express coach, no passenger injured
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reviewed the flood situation in the state and the damage caused by it, directing officials to submit a detailed report at the earliest. According to a press release, the review meeting was held at the 'Sankalp' auditorium at Lok Sevak Awas in the presence of BJP national president and MP Nitin Nabin. During the meeting on Tuesday, Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh briefed the Chief Minister about the causes of the floods and the situation that emerged in the state in two phases. During the first phase, the Ganga, Son, Ghaghra, Kosi and Punpun rivers recorded new highest water levels compared to previous records. In the second phase, the Gandak River recorded its highest water levels at four locations due to excessive rainfall. Six locations in West Champaran, Gopalganj and Saran districts witnessed damage to embankments. Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall briefed the meeting about the re...
Relief to be distributed among flood-affected on Oct 12: CM
Chitrasutra explores India through traditional art
CM Samrat Choudhary reviews Bihar flood situation, seeks damage report
VIB arrests data entry operator, assistant commissioner on charges of taking bribe in Begusarai
BJSA seeks bodyguards for all judicial officers below CJM rank
Bihars Bobby Kumar Honored by CM After Winning Bronze at Asian Games
Bihars Bobby Kumar received recognition from CM Samrat Chaudhary for winning a bronze medal in Sepaktakraw at the 2026 Asian Games. Bihars Bobby Kumar Honored by CM After Winning Bronze at Asian Games
Minister urges govt to set up Pali, Prakrit centres in Bihar
Bihar Legislative Council polls: 8 seats, 164 candidates; stage set for multi-cornered battle
The seats going to the polls are Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi Graduates' constituencies, along with Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran Teachers' constituencies.
Nal-Jal workers stage protest in Patna, plan foot march to CM residence
Bhumi Pednekkar marks 3 years of Thank You For Coming: The pure liberation I felt doing this film
Bhumi Pednekkar has explored a range of unconventional roles throughout her career, and Thank You For Coming was one of the films that addressed a subject that is not often discussed openly in mainstream cinema. As the film completed three years since its release, the actress looked back at her experience of working on the project and shared a clip from the film on social media. Bhumi shared a sequence from the 2023 comedy-drama, which revolved around female pleasure and a womans pursuit of happiness without feeling the need to apologise for her choices. Along with the clip, she shared a note reflecting on what the film meant to her. She wrote, She will always be my spirit animal. The pure liberation I felt doing this film. 3 years of Thank You For Coming. Also happy birthday @karanboolani, youre the best. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhumi Satish Pednekkar (@bhumisatishpednekkar) Directed by Karan Boolani, Thank You For Coming featured Bhumi in the lead role and dealt with conversations around female pleasure and personal choices. The film followed a woman navigating her relationships and her understanding of intimacy, while also touching upon the social expectations often placed on women. For Bhumi, the project appears to have remained personally meaningful, with her latest post recalling the sense of pure liberation she experienced while working on the film. Her anniversary post also coincided with Karan Boolanis birthday, as she extended her wishes to the filmmaker. Also Read : Bhumi Pednekar joins BDRF to aid flood-affected Bihar, appeals to citizens for support
CM inaugurates Sasaram bypass, launches water conservation drive
PIB debunks claims on MHA reaching out to Rahul, Priyanka for ending stir
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday issued a Fact Check and declared as misleading some social media posts claiming that officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reached out to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi in a bid to end the impasse outside Nirvachan Sadan. Do not fall for misleading claims or unverified information. Rely only on verified sources, said the PIB, the Central governments nodal information dissemination agency controlled by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The Fact Check issued by the PIB was accompanied by screenshots of social media posts by a journalist and a news channels website. The false claims were made on social media in relation to the Opposition MPs dramatic protest and sit-in near the office of the Election Commission of India and Rahul Gandhi-led lawmakers failed attempt to enter Nirvachan Sadan to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi led the 300 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Opposition MPs, including those from the BJD, in a march from Parliament towards the Nirvachan Sadan - a distance of about one kilometre. We wanted to meet the CEC and the Election Commissioners, but we were stopped and prevented from going there, Gandhi told reporters about 50 yards from the Commissions office. After being stopped by security personnel from marching towards Nirvachan Sadan, Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders sat on a dharna inside the Akashvani Bhavan, close to the ECI office, The protest in the high security zone was criticised by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who asked whether the opposition parties were trying to create anarchy. Speaking to IANS, Prasad said, Sitting in Delhi, they have surrounded a sensitive area here, and they are saying that (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is under the clutches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Home Minister) Amit Shah. This is shameful. I condemn this. Prasad also criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his reported demand to cancel elections and conduct them again using ballot papers. He had said that all elections should be cancelled and elections should be held again through ballot papers. This is their intention, and this is what they want. They cannot win in honest elections. Now, they want to capture the booths. They want to win elections under pressure. They want to stop Dalits and the poor from casting their votes. Congress has been winning like this, whether it was in Bihar, West Bengal or any other state, he said.
Digital Desk | Patna, October 6 (IANS) The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leadership has taken note of the ongoing differences between Mokama MLA Anant Singh and party candidate Neeraj Kumar over the Patna Graduates' constituency, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary welcoming Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh's efforts to resolve the dispute. Speaking at a press conference at the JD-U state office on Tuesday, Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that Lalan Singh's intervention had opened a way towards resolving the issue. He added that the party was taking note of everything Lalan Singh had said about the dispute and was also examining other aspects of the matter at the organisational level. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was asked about Lalan Singh's observation that there had been a lapse on the part of the state JD-U leadership in handling the differences between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar. In response, the Deputy Chief Minister said the party had taken cognisance of the matter and was considering all aspects of the dispute. While he did not announce any specific disciplinary action, his remarks indicated that the party leadership was examining the circumstances surrounding the long-standing differences. Vijay Kumar Choudhary thanked Lalan Singh for taking the initiative to speak with Anant Singh and said the intervention had created an opportunity for the dispute to be resolved. The differences have come into focus ahead of the Patna Graduates' constituency election after Anant Singh backed the Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh instead of the JD-U's Neeraj Kumar. During the press conference, Vijay Kumar Choudhary also reviewed the flood situation in Bihar, saying the state had entered the final phase of the floods and that the situation was under control across the affected areas. He said the Gandak and Ganga rivers had recorded new Highest Flood Levels (HFL) at several locations during the current flood season. Despite the high water levels, departmental officials and engineers had taken timely measures to protect embankments at several vulnerable points. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, breaches occurred at multiple locations along the Gandak embankment. Seven engineers have been suspended in connection with the incidents, while departmental proceedings have been initiated against a Chief Engineer. Show-cause notices have also been issued to an Assistant Engineer and an Executive Engineer. Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the Bihar government would take action against officials found responsible for negligence in dealing with the difficulties faced by flood-affected residents. The Deputy Chief Minister also spoke about the increasing accumulation of silt in Bihar's rivers, saying the state government had repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of the Central government. He said that Bihar had also been raising concerns with the Centre regarding the Farakka Barrage agreement and related issues. According to Vijay Kumar Choudhary, the Central government was taking initiatives in this regard. Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal was present at the press conference, along with JD-U MLCs Sanjay Singh alias Gandhiji, Naveen Arya and Anjum Ara.
Palak Muchhal lends her voice to female version of The Vvaan song Chhathi Maiya; track out!
Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah starrer The Vvaan has added a new version of its song 'Chhathi Maiya,' with singer Palak Muchhal lending her vocals to the female rendition. The song, which draws from the cultural and spiritual significance of Chhath, has been released under the Zee Music label. The new version brings a female vocal perspective to the track, with Palak Muchhals rendition focusing on the devotional elements associated with Chhathi Maiya. The song is featured in the films folklore-inspired world, which draws from Indian traditions and mythology. Palak Muchhals female rendition of Chhathi Maiya The original 'Chhathi Maiya'song has been positioned around the celebration of Chhath and its significance, particularly in Bihar and among communities that observe the festival. Palak Muchhals version offers another interpretation of the track through her vocals, while retaining its devotional character. The Vvaan has been running in theatres alongside the release of the new song. The film combines folklore and fantasy with elements of adventure, mystery and humour. Its story is also being expanded through The Legend of Vvaan comic book, which explores the larger folklore surrounding the film's universe. Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF and 11.11 Production, The Vvaan stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah in the lead roles. The film is written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, with Manu Anand serving as DOP and Visual Director. It is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari. Also Read:Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia and The Vvaan Cast bring ghost stories to Netflixs The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 5
State-wise school holidays in October due to Navaratri, Durga Puja 2026
The festive season is approaching and to celebrate schools will be closed state-wise for students. For the Durga Puja celebration has the schools in the eastern part of India- West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar have announced holidays for educational institutions- schools, colleges. The West Bengal government has already announced school holiday on the occasion of Durga Puja.
India bowl first in Lucknow as Naman Dhir makes T20I debut against West Indies
India have chosen to bowl first in the opening match of their five-match T20I series against West Indies, with captain Shreyas Iyer citing the mixed-soil surface at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium and the likelihood of evening dew. The decision sets up a chase under lights in Lucknow, where the [] The post India bowl first in Lucknow as Naman Dhir makes T20I debut against West Indies appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Weather Tomorrow: On October 7, expect partly cloudy skies over Delhi-NCR, with temperatures hovering between 22C and 34C. Thunderstorms paired with lightning are anticipated in Haryana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, while West Bengal faces similar weather. Conversely, Rajasthan will remain dry without any IMD warnings. In the hills, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand might see rain or even snowfall, accompanied by thunderstorms.
1st T20I: Naman Dhir debuts as India elect to bowl against WI in Lucknow
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 5 (IANS) India won the toss and elected to bowl against the West Indies in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. After making his ODI debut on September 27, Naman Dhir is set to make his T20I debut in the series opener. He received his maiden T20I cap from Arshdeep Singh. It will also be a special game for Akeal Hosein, who will play his 100th T20I for the West Indies. India captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the challenge posed by a formidable West Indies side but backed his team to settle quickly despite a hectic travel schedule following their Asian Games campaign. Iyer also confirmed that Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Reddy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav were left out of the playing XI. We are going to bowl first; it's a mixed surface. There will be some dew as well. Travel was pretty hectic. Came last night; today we have turned up for the game, but we are in the zone. They have been fabulous; they have dominated T20 cricket in the last few years. They have got brilliant batting and all-rounders. Looking forward to the contest. Ravi, Nitish, Vaibhav and one more is sitting out, Prince. West Indies skipper Shai Hope said, We would have bowled first as well. In India, it's always good to chase. We need to adapt to the conditions; it's different. We have new guys coming and some going out. We just got to play our best cricket. Six bowling options for us, some all-rounders as well. Playing XIs: West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
CSBC Bihar Driver Constable DV Schedule 2026 Out - Check Document Verification Dates
CSBC Bihar Driver Constable DV Schedule 2026 has released for 224 candidates under Advt. No. 02/2025. Candidates must appear in person with original certificates, DET admit card, identity proof and gate pass from 13 to 15 October 2026 between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM at the CSBC office in Patna. Check the roll number-wise document verification date and required documents in the official notice.
Bihar Chief Minister Inaugurates
Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary inaugurates a new bypass road in Sasaram, emphasizing youth engagement in nation-building. Bihar Chief Minister Inaugurates 122 Crore Bypass Road in Sasaram
Samrat Choudhary warns of action within 24 hours against those targeting women in Bihar
Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 6 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday visited Sasaram in Rohtas district and addressed a 'Yuva Samvad' programme at Jamuhar, where he spoke about women's safety, law and order and the development of the state. Addressing the gathering, Choudhary said that given the prevailing security environment in the state, anyone who dares to harm or molest women will face action within 24 hours. He said he was making this commitment to the women of Bihar in his capacity as the state's leader. Referring to five videos of incidents that had surfaced from different parts of Bihar, Chief Minister Choudhary said immediate action had been taken in the cases. He also added that millions of women are now stepping out of their homes to work, attributing the change to the governance of the NDA. Targeting the Opposition, the Chief Minister said that some people view political power as an opportunity for personal gain, whereas the NDA and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) consider power a means to serve the people. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Choudhary said that despite being in power for 25 consecutive years, PM Modi had remained committed to serving the public and continued to uphold that approach. He contrasted the present situation in Bihar with the period before 2005, recalling that areas of Rohtas and Kaimur had once been affected by the activities of dacoits and that people were fearful of travelling from Kaimur towards Ara. He said the situation had changed significantly and reiterated that anyone who harms a woman in Bihar would face arrest within 24 hours. The event was attended by MP BD Singh, former MP Gopal Narayan Singh, MLA Trivikram Narayan Singh and BJP leader Bhikhubhai Dalsania. During his Rohtas visit, CM Choudhary inaugurated the Sasaram Bypass and inspected the Beda Flyover. The 9.2-km Beda-Mokar bypass is a part of the Bihar government's infrastructure push in the district. He also inspected a pond renovated under the 'Kayakalp Abhiyan' and reviewed ongoing development works in the area. Earlier, CM Choudhary addressed a gathering after inaugurating an astronomy laboratory at the PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Karup Panchayat under Shivsagar block. He also participated in the 'Seva Setu Abhiyan' support camp and reviewed various government schemes and development initiatives. The Chief Minister also interacted with youth at the Narayan Medical College in Sasaram as part of his outreach programme.
IND vs WI Live Streaming: The highly anticipated five-match T20I series between India and West Indies kicks off on October 6 at 7:00 PM IST. Fans can expect an exhilarating start at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Following a successful 2-1 ODI series win, Shreyas Iyer steps up to lead India, aiming to maintain their victorious momentum in the T20 format.
Bihars Flood Situation Approaches Final Phase, Permanent Solutions Needed, Says Deputy CM
Bihars Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary discusses the flood situation and emphasizes the need for effective sediment management and high-level dams. Bihars Flood Situation Approaches Final Phase, Permanent Solutions Needed, Says Deputy CM
Prashant Kishor Advocates for Change in Bihar, Promises Seventh Pay Scale for Teachers
Prashant Kishor calls on Bihars educated voters to support change and promises better pay and opportunities for teachers. Prashant Kishor Advocates for Change in Bihar, Promises Seventh Pay Scale for Teachers
BPSC TRE 4.0 Recruitment 2026: Vacancies Increased by 932, Total Posts Now 33,320
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has revised the vacancy count for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE) 4.0 2026, increasing the total number of school teacher posts from 32,388 to 33,320. The Commission has added 932 vacancies through the latest
Bihar Teen Shubham Kumar Enters International Book Of Records For Candy Crush
Shubham Kumar from Bihar reached Level 22,222 in Candy Crush Saga, earning recognition from the International Book of Records.
IND vs WI 1st T20I: India Eye Strong Start in Lucknow Today
India and the West Indies are set to lock horns in the opening fixture of their five-match T20I series on Tuesday evening at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Following a successful 2-1 triumph in the preceding ODI series, the home side aims to carry its winning momentum into the shortest [] The post IND vs WI 1st T20I: India Eye Strong Start in Lucknow Today appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Bengal to get rain for five more days as monsoon retreats, light showers likely during Puja
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 6 (IANS) Rain is likely to continue across West Bengal for the next five days as the southwest monsoon withdrawal remains underway, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata said on Tuesday. The weather office, however, ruled out the possibility of widespread heavy rainfall during this period. Light to moderate rain is expected at several places, with isolated heavy showers likely in parts of north Bengal. Eastern Regional Director of the RMC Habibur Rahman Biswas said a low-pressure area extending from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh in the lower levels of the atmosphere was influencing the weather over the state. A cyclonic circulation over Bihar is also contributing to the rainfall activity. Under its influence, light to moderate rain is likely in all districts of north Bengal, while heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. The weather office has also warned of thundershowers in several areas. On Tuesday, partly cloudy skies and light to moderate rain were expected in the state. In south Bengal, districts including Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas may receive rain accompanied by thundershowers over the next few days. Several districts of south Bengal are likely to receive light to moderate rain with thundershowers until the weekend. Rainfall will also continue in north Bengal, with isolated heavy showers possible in one or two places. Kolkata is also likely to receive light to moderate rain on Tuesday. The city is expected to remain cloudy during the morning, with partly cloudy skies likely in the afternoon. The possibility of rain is expected to increase from Wednesday through Friday. The RMC said there was no forecast of heavy rain during Durga Puja, which begins on October 17. However, light to moderate rain may occur around Mahalaya on October 10. On Monday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 32.08 degrees Celsius, which was normal, while the minimum temperature was 26.06 degrees Celsius, 0.08 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 69 and 97 percent.
RJD MLA Criticizes JD(U) Amid Internal Disputes in Bihar
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra claims JD(U) faces internal strife, urging caution for party leaders ahead of upcoming elections. RJD MLA Criticizes JD(U) Amid Internal Disputes in Bihar
Sanjay Jha backs Lalan Singh's mediation as JD(U) seeks to contain JD(U)'s Anant-Neeraj rift
Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 6 (IANS) The internal rift within the JD(U) over the Patna Graduates constituency has taken a new turn, with the party leadership seeking to contain differences between Mokama MLA Anant Singh and JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar ahead of the Legislative Council elections in Bihar. JD(U) National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha has defended the partys decision to entrust Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh with resolving the differences, saying Lalan Singh had done what was best for the party. The intervention comes after Anant Singh publicly extended his support to Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh and indicated that he would not campaign for Neeraj Kumar, whom the JD(U) has fielded from the Patna Graduates constituency. The JD(U) has now authorised Lalan Singh to mediate between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar after the dispute became public. Jha had earlier said the party was aware of grievances between the two leaders and had asked Lalan Singh to resolve the matter through discussions. Lalan Singh subsequently spoke to Anant Singh and said the Mokama MLA had raised several grievances concerning the previous Assembly election. According to Lalan Singh, Anant Singh alleged that he had faced opposition and a campaign against him during the election and felt that the party leadership should have intervened at the time. Lalan Singh acknowledged there had been a lapse on the part of the state party leadership. He also quoted Anant Singh as saying that he would not seek votes for someone who had not sought votes for him. Despite the differences, Lalan Singh said Anant Singh had agreed not to make further public statements against Neeraj Kumar that could harm the party. The development is being viewed as an attempt by the JD(U) leadership to prevent the dispute from escalating publicly while ensuring that its official candidate receives organisational support during the Council election campaign. Lalan Singh has said that his approach is to facilitate reconciliation without taking sides. The dispute became more prominent after Anant Singh accompanied Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh during his nomination process and publicly backed his candidature. The move was seen as a direct challenge to Neeraj Kumar, who is seeking another term from the Patna Graduates constituency. The differences between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar predate the current Legislative Council election. Their political rivalry dates back to the 2015 Assembly election, when Anant Singh contested the Mokama seat as an independent after parting ways with the JD(U), while the party fielded Neeraj Kumar. The latest dispute has acquired greater significance because the two leaders are now on opposing sides of the campaign for the Patna Graduates constituency. The JD(U) leaderships focus is now on containing the public disagreement and maintaining organisational cohesion around Neeraj Kumars candidature. Sanjay Jhas support for Lalan Singhs mediation indicates that the party is currently favouring dialogue over escalation. Neeraj Kumar has filed his nomination for the Patna Graduates seat, while Jan Suraaj has fielded Anuj Kumar Singh. The election is scheduled for October 23, with counting set for October 27.
Govt streamlines rules for PhD aspirants
Rohit Sharma No. 1, Hetmyer Threatens Kohli
New Delhi, October 6, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): India and West Indies are set to begin their five-match T20I series on Tuesday, October 6. The first match will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and will begin at 7 pm IST, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 ... Read more Rohit Sharma No. 1, Hetmyer Threatens Kohlis Record in IND vs WI T20Is
Always worked to empower poor: PM Modi's birthday greetings to Jitan Ram Manjhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and said he has consistently worked towards empowering the poor and underprivileged. Jitan Ram Manjhi is a Member of Parliament from Gaya and is serving as the Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from May 20, 2014, to February 20, 2015. Manjhi is also the founding president of the Hindustani Awam Morcha. PM Modi took to X and said, Greetings to Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi Ji on his birthday. In his many years in public life, he has always worked to empower the poor and underprivileged. He is at the forefront of adding momentum to the MSME sector, which has a key role to play in making India prosperous and self-reliant. Praying for his long life and good health. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, extending his greetings to Manjhi, said, Heartfelt birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi Ji. You are continuously playing an important role in accelerating the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises and empowering the entrepreneurs associated with them. I pray to God for your good health and long life. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also conveyed his birthday wishes to the Union Minister. Heartfelt birthday greetings to the Honorable Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi Ji. May you be blessed with excellent health and a long and illustrious life by the grace of Lord Shri Ram; this is my prayer, Yogi Adityanath said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to X and extended his greetings, saying, Heartiest birthday greetings to Honble Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi ji! Wishing you a long life and good health. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi wished Manjhi good health, happiness and continued success in his public service. Warm birthday greetings to Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi ji. Wishing you good health, happiness and continued success in your service to the nation. Praying for your long, healthy life and many more years of dedicated public service, Joshi said. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also extended her greetings and highlighted Manjhi's long public life and work for disadvantaged sections. Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Honorable Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi. Your long public life has been dedicated to the welfare of the deprived and the working class. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and continued service to the people, she said.
15 MPs representing India's political, geographic diversity at UN General Assembly
Digital Desk | United Nations, Oct 6 (IANS) Fifteen members of Parliament, representing the political and geographic diversity of India have joined the India's delegation to General Assembly, showcasing the nation's democracy. They paid homage on Monday to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue on the UN campus before heading out to their General Assembly assignments. India's Permanent Representative P Harish, the senior diplomat who heads India's UN Mission, briefed the MPs on India's engagement with the UN. The MPs met with Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja, who is also the regional director for Asia and the Pacific, and discussed the work of the UN Development Programme in India. During the meeting, they explored how parliamentarians can advance the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The MPs plunged immediately into their assignments representing India. Two of the BJP MPs, Banshilal Gurjar from Madhya Pradesh and C P Joshi from Rajasthan, spoke in Hindi with simultaneous translation. Gurjar addressed the Assembly's Fifth Committee that deals with budgetary and administrative matters on the scale of assessments for the apportionment of UN expenses. C P Joshi, who heads the Parliament Committee on Petitions, addressed the Second Committee that deals with economic and financial matters. Gumma Thanuja Rani, a YSR Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh, spoke in English on the organisation of work at the Fifth Committee. Traditionally, MPs reinforce India's presence at the General Assembly during the months after its new session begins in September. There are six MPs from the BJP, and besides Joshi and Gurjar, they are Mahima Kumari Mewar from Rajasthan; Biplab Kumar Deb, BJP national general secretary from Tripura; Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri from Karnataka; and Sikander Kumar from Himachal Pradesh. The two Congress Party MPs in the delegation are Rahul Kaswan from Rajasthan and Anil Kumar Yadav from Telangana. The others, besides them, are LK Sudhish of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam from Tamil Nadu; Asit Mal of the Trinamool Congress from West Bengal; Smajwadi Party's Priya Saroj from Uttar Pradesh; Lovely Anand of the Janata Dal (United) from Bihar; Sanjay Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal also from Bihar, and Rajabhau Waje of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) from Maharashtra.
Bihars Chief Minister Pushes for Eco-Tourism and Solar Initiatives in Hill Regions
Bihars Chief Minister emphasizes rapid development of eco-tourism and solar projects in the states hill regions to boost tourism and sustainability. Bihars Chief Minister Pushes for Eco-Tourism and Solar Initiatives in Hill Regions
Accelerate eco-tourism, solarisation projects in hilly regions: Samrat
NHRC to hold two-day hearing in Patna from Oct 7
BJPs Sambit Patra rebuts Rahul Gandhis Form 6 claims, says SC did not declare it illegal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Monday hit back at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his allegations concerning Form 6, the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing him of spreading misleading information about the Supreme Courts proceedings. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Patra said Gandhi had misrepresented the Supreme Courts observations and wrongly suggested that the court had established that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had illegally and unilaterally altered Form 6 to benefit the BJP. He said Gandhi had made the allegations in a post on X shortly after the Supreme Court hearing. According to Patra, Gandhi claimed that it had been established without any doubt that Kumar had illegally and unilaterally changed Form 6 and had misused his position to help the BJP. Gandhi also said that those responsible would have to be held accountable. The BJP leader strongly rejected the interpretation, saying the Supreme Court had neither declared Form 6 illegal nor rejected it. He said the court had only made it clear that it had not approved any modified Form 6 and wanted to examine the official record to determine who had made the changes. According to Patra, Chief Justice Surya Kant observed during the hearing that the court had not approved any changed Form 6 and that the record would have to be examined to establish who had made the modification. Patra said this observation could not be interpreted as a judicial finding that Form 6 itself was illegal. The BJP leader also referred to the Election Commissions September 26 press release, which stated that the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR exercise had been upheld by the Supreme Court. He said Gandhi was creating confusion by presenting the issue as though the entire Form 6 had been declared unlawful. Rahul Gandhi, in his post on X, alleged that the Supreme Court proceedings had established that the Chief Election Commissioner had changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally. He described the alleged change as further evidence of the misuse of the CECs position to help the BJP. Gandhi said that the CEC and others allegedly involved in what he described as an attack on democracy would have to be held accountable. The BJP, however, argued that Gandhis interpretation went beyond what the Supreme Court had actually said during the hearing. Patra maintained that the court had not reached a final conclusion on who made the disputed changes or whether the changes were unlawful. Patra also cited the Supreme Courts May 27, 2026, judgment while explaining the Election Commissions position on documentation for the SIR exercise. The BJP spokesperson argued that the Supreme Court judgment did not support such an interpretation. Patra also disputed the allegation that the SIR decision had been taken unilaterally. He said the Bihar SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, was approved unanimously by all three Election Commissioners. According to Patra, the Election Commission itself had reiterated that position in its fact-check response. Patra said the decision was taken collectively by the Commission and pointed to the public record surrounding the announcement as evidence that all three Election Commissioners had participated in the process. He accused Gandhi of presenting the decision as the action of an individual when, according to the Election Commission's position cited by the BJP, it was a unanimous decision of the three-member Commission. Patra also brought up Gandhis earlier criticism of the Supreme Court in connection with the Rafale fighter-jet controversy. He alleged that Gandhi had previously made incorrect claims about what the Supreme Court had said in the Rafale case and subsequently had to clarify his remarks before the court. Patra argued that a similar pattern was emerging in the Form 6 controversy, with the Supreme Courts observations being interpreted politically before the complete legal record had been examined. He urged political leaders to study judgments and official documents carefully before making public allegations involving constitutional institutions. Another issue raised by Patra was a claim that the Election Commission had withdrawn its September 26 press release concerning Form 6 and SIR. Patra rejected the claim and said the press release had not been withdrawn. He said the Election Commission had issued a fact-check on the matter and that the September 26 communication remained part of the Commissions public record. According to Patra, reports suggesting that the press release had been withdrawn following the Supreme Court hearing were false. He accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create confusion and instability by making allegations against constitutional institutions. He said political disagreements were legitimate but claimed that the Supreme Court and Election Commission should not be selectively cited or portrayed in ways that, according to the BJP, distorted their actual positions.
ED busts Rs 1,000-crore betel nut smuggling syndicate across Northeast
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 5 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it has unearthed a well-organised, multi-layered syndicate allegedly involved in smuggling foreign-origin areca nut into India through the India-Myanmar border and laundering the proceeds, with bank credits exceeding Rs 1,000 crore identified in accounts linked to the network. According to officials, the EDs Guwahati Zonal Office conducted searches on October 1 at 16 premises in Guwahati, Siliguri, Bagdogra, Phansidewa and Cooch Behar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The investigation was launched based on 11 FIRs registered by the Assam Police and West Bengal Police under various sections of the IPC/BNS and the NDPS Act against persons allegedly involved in smuggling, transporting and selling Indonesian, Thai and Burmese-origin areca nut. According to the ED, the consignments were brought into Mizoram through Myanmar and then transported to West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states using forged GST invoices, e-way bills and transport documents. The agency said dried areca nut was ferried across the Tiau River at Zokhawthar in small lots, bypassing the Land Customs Station. Agents on the Myanmar side allegedly sold the consignments to front firms in India. These firms were allegedly registered in the names of local residents of Champhai who had no real stake in the business. The GST registrations and bank accounts were allegedly controlled by persons based in Silchar, Assam. From Silchar, the consignments were allegedly moved to godowns around Guwahati, where they were re-bagged and re-documented before being transported through the Siliguri corridor to consuming states. The ED said the operation involved Bikaner Assam Roadlines India Ltd and associated concerns allegedly controlled by Sushil Daga. Their bank accounts showed credits of several hundred crores from areca nut traders. The agency also alleged that protection money was collected from transporters to ensure safe passage of smuggled consignments. Searches at the premises of DNG Biotech Pvt Ltd, Jai Karni Tradings Pvt Ltd, Purvottar Agro Pvt Ltd, N R Associates and others led to the seizure of approximately Rs 95 lakh in unaccounted cash, digital devices, property and investment documents and bank records. Fixed deposits worth approximately Rs 85 lakh were also frozen. Further investigation is underway.
Tech-driven farming crucial for developed India goal: Expert
GA to launch protest programmes across state against SIR from today
Surge of Devotees at Bihars Gaya During Pitripaksha Festival
Over 4.5 lakh devotees visited Gaya during Pitripaksha, as authorities enhance safety and sanitation measures for the influx. Surge of Devotees at Bihars Gaya During Pitripaksha Festival
All police stations in state to get video conferencing facility within a month: Govt
Anant To Stop Attacks, Wont Campaign For Neeraj
Mr Kumar, who is seeking a fourth term in the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections, filed his nomination papers on Monday: Reports
With witty slogans, SI aspirants hold protest march over exam cancellation
Gaya Pitripaksh Mela footfall crosses 32 lakh mark in nine days
Bihar govt bans DJs, tightens security for Durga Puja
Boring Road: Where every cup of chai comes with a story
Council polls: Five MLCs file papers; Lalan announces near truce between Anant and Neeraj
German scholar hails Paninis legacy, Indian philosophy
Tejashwi Yadav alleges electoral fraud in Bihar, says CEC acting at BJPs behest
On October 7, Bihar leaders of the INDIA bloc will launch an Aakrosh March against the CEC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the block level.
Tejashwi Yadav alleges electoral fraud in Bihar, says CEC acting at BJPs behest
On October 7, Bihar leaders of the INDIA bloc will launch an Aakrosh March against the CEC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the block level.
Building corporation donates Rs 10cr to CM relief fund
Student secures DU admission with 30 minutes to spare
Man presumed murdered returns home alive after four years
Lawyer shot dead in public view in Katihar
BJP national spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra on Monday accused Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of misleading the public over the Supreme Court's observations on Form 6 and the Election Commission's decision on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to ANI, Patra said Gandhi had made misleading claims on two issues -- the status of Form 6 and whether the Election Commission's decision on the SIR in Bihar was unanimous. On Form 6, Patra said the Supreme Court had not declared the form illegal and had only said that it would examine a petition alleging that the form had been modified. Rahul Gandhi misled the public on two counts. First, he claimed that Form 6 was illegal
New Mokama double-line rail bridge opens after CRS approval
Make Him Think: Morne Morkel Reveals How India Are Nurturing Sooryavanshi
Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee: India bowling coach Morne Morkel believes young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can make significant strides simply by being around an experienced Indian dressing room, urging the teenager to observe, ask questions and absorb the habits of established players as India begin their five-match T20I series against West Indies here on Tuesday. Two Lucknow-based IPL pacers, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, will also return to Indias T20I setup in the series opener at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with the management pondering over its bowling combinations on a pitch that is expected to offer a mix of pace, bounce and spin. But Morkel believes Sooryavanshis growth should not be judged by the amount of game time he gets, with the 14-year-old already reaping the benefits of being around senior players and watching them prepare and react to different situations. Yeah, I mean, we all know the talent of Ivan. I think the more time he spends in this environment with the quality players, the more time he trains at this standard, will only be great for his cricket. And if he's not getting that game time, he's still on a bus, in the dugout, in the hotel with guys with a lot of experience. And I think with him sharing that sort of dressing room and talking to guys, or just actually watching how the guys go through their processes and how they set up innings, will be key for him, Morkel said in the pre-match press conference in Lucknow on Monday. Im a big believer that sometimes, if you put guys in the right environment and they can ask the right questions and they can observe. So I always challenge them; I say, watch what this guy is doing in training, how does he face his first 15 balls? When the wicket is doing stuff, what sort of game plan does he come up with? And for any young player, if he gets game time or if that game time is a little limited, its still our job to make sure that these guys learn, they grow, and they ask questions. Morkel said he also encourages the young batter to reflect on what he has learnt from each training session. I think that for me is a fantastic growth sort of mind map. I mean, I'm a fast bowler; I can't really talk too much about batting, but I always ask him on the bus, ' What's one thing you've learned today? Tell me, what did you think about that guy's batting? And that makes him think. And I think next time when he comes to nets, those sort of things he'll observe; he'll adapt to his game, he added. While Sooryavanshis role at the top could depend on Indias combination, Morkel expects the management to assess the players returning from the Asian Games before finalising the XI. Im pretty sure Gautam will look to rotate. I mean, as I said, that is up to the selectors, and obviously the coach and the captain in terms of the playing 11, or which playing 11 will be the best to win a game for India on home soil. And that will always be the main focus, Morkel said. In terms of the starting 11, as I said, the guys just came back from the Asian Games, so we'll assess how everybody is feeling after jet lag, after travelling, and then from there make a plan. India enter the T20I leg after winning the preceding three-match ODI series 2-1, although the West Indies finished that contest on a high by taking the final game at New Chandigarh. India will also carry the confidence of their Asian Games campaign, where they won the men's T20 gold medal. Morkel expects the transition between formats to provide a stern test, particularly with West Indies possessing a batting line-up capable of putting pressure on the bowling attack from the outset. Yeah, I think, you know, waiting for the spectators, it's going to be fantastic viewing. I think for both sides at the moment, the red flag or the problem might be, you know, our guys travelling back after the Asian Games. Some of the guys only arrived a couple of days ago, so jet lag, getting over the journey. But I think once we are up and running and we get the series going, we are all really looking forward to it, Morkel added. The immediate challenge for India will be adapting to a fresh format while also continuing to build their player pool, with the 2027 ODI World Cup already behind them and the next global tournament still some distance away. Look, the main goal always will be to win the games. I think this group of players have played some exceptional cricket over the last couple of years. The guys who got opportunities came in and, you know, they've done a brilliant job, Morkel said. Yes, it will be great for Indian cricket if we keep on growing that pool, keep on giving guys that experience of the taste of what it is to play in an Indian shirt. And also a nice opportunity for guys who were out of the loop for a while to come back. One such returnee is Mayank Yadav, whose comeback from injury adds another dimension to Indias pace attack. You know, Mayank Yadav, he's back from injury, so look forward to seeing how he goes when he gets an opportunity. So I think it is sort of looking at the bigger picture, but also you want to win games for India. You want to give the guys who have done well so far to continue that, and yeah, we look forward to the series, and we'll take it as it comes. Mayanks raw pace gives India an X-factor that is difficult to replicate, while Prince Yadav has taken a different route into the international setup after initially being a net bowler. I mean, if you look at Mayank, immediately that comes to mind is his pace, his X-factor. I think for me, Prince, where he was a net bowler a couple of years ago, he's now playing for India. That resilience, the hard work that he's put into his game to reach international stages, is admirable, Morkel said. For me, that shows that these guys are hardworking players. Mayank had a couple of setbacks with injury, back-to-back setbacks with that; for a young player to get through that, and then again to find themselves in the situation to play for India just shows character. Both pacers have a particularly strong connection with the venue, having represented Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, and their knowledge of the Ekana surface could prove useful for India. The question, however, is whether India will lean heavily on that local knowledge. Of course, you know, one aspect is obviously for them to share their knowledge, what they found playing here. But to be honest with you, I think for us it is about... we talk about that, but it's not to make that our main focus, Morkel said. Like I said, the strength of this team moving forward will be how individuals can, at the moment, adapt to some of the conditions and how they can execute that. Of course, we'll look at all the players, we'll come up with plans, but I think that is the winning moment in white-ball cricketis that decision under pressure as a bowler with a captain. What's the best decision you can make, and can you execute that? Execution could be especially important with the conditions on Pitch No. 5, the centre strip, being used for the contest. The pitch is a combination of red and black soil surface; Lucknow saw a lot of runs in IPL 2026 after being a little more bowler-friendly in the first part of the season. There has been some rain around the city too, with both teams practice sessions affected on Monday, although no rain is forecast during match hours on Tuesday. There are a few showers expected during the day, but conditions should be clear when the match kicks off. The Ekana wicket has been tricky to read over the years. The last T20I played here was against New Zealand in 2023, when India chased down 100 successfully, but that was before the surfaces were re-laid. IPL 2026 was a tale of two halves for the venue. Bowlers had help in the initial half of the tournament with movement and bounce on the more bowler-friendly pitches, while in the second half the pitches flattened out quite a bit. Any moisture left from the recent rain could bring the seamers back into the contest early, while the surface is generally considered good for batting and can bring spinners into play as the ball gets older. Morkel said India will not enter the match with a rigid pace-versus-spin blueprint. Look, I don't think there is one sort of blueprint or thing we're gonna go with. We'll come up with the best solution for how we think we're going to win games. If it's extra pace, if it's extra spin, that is yet to be determined, but for me, it's always my sort of feel here in T20 or especially white-ball cricket; it's good wickets, so yeah, I think you get tested on your execution. That execution could become even more important against a West Indies side known for aggressive batting. Morkel expects both teams to have to read conditions quickly rather than rely solely on pre-match plans. Yeah, look, I mean, I just walked past the square now; I haven't had a proper look at the wicket. We'll assess sort of the conditions as best as possible tonight. We understand that in this series it's going to be a high-scoring game. Your skills will be tested; execution, most importantly, will be tested, he said. In a short turnaround, we'll try and plan as best as possible. But I think the key for both teams is how we can read the conditions and how you can come up with the best plans in that moment, and then, as I said, execution is going to be key. The size of the Ekana boundaries could also increase the value of having additional bowling options. But I think purely on that, you need to see what the conditions are like, and from there you can make a play. But from my point of view, the more bowling options we can have on a night, as a captain, at times that can help, Morkel said. So I think it's about always keeping these guys ready, and then from there reading the conditions, reading what the wicket is doing, boundary sizes. Obviously we've got a luxury here that it's quite a big field, so these guys come into the conversation a lot more. India could also have a selection call to make between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav, with the latter returning to the T20I setup after last playing the format in February. Morkel said Kuldeeps confidence and rhythm have returned at the right time. Look, I think Kuldeep spoke about it in the past after the ODI series that he feels he's bowling well again. And that is great news for us. As a bowler, sometimes we can struggle with our rhythm; it takes a little bit longer at times to find that, but for us, he's a massive match-winner, he's confident, he's bowling well. India could also have a selection call to make between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav, with the latter returning to the T20I setup after last playing the format in February. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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